Ceadda's Newest Job

Hired by a strange man in D'loul, Ceadda was headed to the Petrucious Forest to search for some rare herbs that grew there near its border with the Dead Lands. It seemed like an incredibly mundane job, and he would not have taken it if it were not for the surprisingly high pay offered. He just guessed that the reason the pay was so high was because of the herbs' proximity to the Dead Lands. Ceadda held no fear of the Dead Lands, but did not feel it necessary to travel into it. He set out, taking a road that would take him very near the Dead Lands, seeing as there would be the least risk of enemy patrols. Performing maintenance on his weapons and other gear, he set out on his path shortly after.

He traveled for the day with no significant events, setting up camp that night close to the Dead Lands, as he could see them from his camp. He then retired for the night, going to resume travel in the morning.

Resuming his journey, Ceadda eventually made it to an area of the forest that looked like it could be the place the old man described. Rocks covered in moss, a clearing surrounded by large trees, etc. Looking around, he saw an herb that resembled the one he was searching for, and upon further inspection identified it as his target. He found more of them growing around, and harvesting them carefully, he placed them in his bag, preparing for the return trip.

Hearing a twig break somewhere approximately at his 7 o'clock, he whirled around drawing his pistol while doing so. As crazy as it would have been to him naught but a few years ago, he was relishing this chance at violence. His mind had been too distracted with his past as of late, and adrenaline was always the best cure he could find, other than writing.

A creature removed from the bushes, and he put his pistol away upon seeing it was only a deer. This was probably his biggest disappointment in a long while. And in his disappointment, he made a hasty decision. He was going to return on a road further north, hoping he would run into some patrols. He set off, first leaving the forest, then heading north through the buffer fields, hoping that he would someday find what he was searching for. Or at least find out what it was.

Leaving Izanami had been difficult for Ceadda, as he hadn't felt so strongly for a person in years as he did for her. It was her demeanor that got him. He cared little for people's appearance, but she will was still lovely. But the fact she was sweet and caring towards him, a total stranger... that was something he had not received in a long time, even though he commonly was helping others. It confused him greatly how things had happened how they had.

"Oh well," he said to himself, as he left the Buffer fields and approached the city.